Review of Death Defying Acts (2007) by Brian W — 12 Dec 2007

For most of this film I was on tenterhooks, expecting a very clever twisted payoff. Unfortunately what we get is a very limp, entirely inconsequential love story. Catherine Zeta-Jones is very watchable as the "psychic" lying her way through life for a living, and Saoirse Ronan channels the impish child side-kick of old-style Hollywood.

Guy Pearce is a problem though, as he lacks the gravitas to portray the very formidable Houdini, and comes across little better than a caricature. The script is also almost childishly simple as is Armstrong's direction.

There is however great pleasure in seeing Edinburgh so recognisably itself in all its brooding glory.